Aerial delivery apparatus



March 21, 1950 ,o. c. WINZEN ETAL 2,501,559

' mun. DELIVERY Arrmws Filed July 3. 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1.

FIG. 6. 22' 7 22! 14' FIG. 5; 22 finger film/7' I l i/ Sam 0 I INVENTORSOtto C. Wimz c/v Vera Wivzed/ gmumu g March ,1950 o. c. WINZEN ETAL2,501,559

\ AERIAL DELIVERY APPARATUS F1106 July 3. 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 March21, 1950 O. C. WINZEN ET AL AERIAL DELIVERY APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Shut 3Filed July 3, 1946 FIG 9 FIG. 8

INVENTORS Otto C. Wiuzen' Vera WiN March 21, 1950 o. c. WINZEN :rm.

mm. nmvm mm'ws s shah-shut 4 Filed July 3, 1946 Tm H tmz w OJ. mm n n 1vw r men .m 23 mww c 3 B z a m ,IIO

March 21, 1950 o. a. WINZEN E'I'AL AERIAL 0mm: APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet5 Filed July 3, 1946 Inventor-s- Ot'bo C.W;nzen. Vera H.Wln.Zen.-

After-n65.

Patented Mar, 21, 1950 AERIAL DELIVERY APPARATUS Otto C. Winzen and VeraH. Winzen,

Minneapolis,

Application July 3, 1946, Serial N 0. 681,300

This invention relates to improvements in aerial delivery apparatus ofthe general type disclosed in our co-pending application Ser. No.620,274, flied October 4, 1945.

The novel apparatus herein disclosed, while not limited to any specificpurpose, is particularly well adapted for delivering merchandise, mail,persons, etc. from aerial craft in flight to selected destinations,whereby delays, often incidental to landing aerial craft for makingground deliveries may be avoided. The apparatus will be foundparticularly useful during periods of war, because by its use aerialcargoes of all kinds may readily be delivered to selected destinationswith reasonable assurance, and without endangering the plane toanti-craft fire.

An important object of the invention, therefore, is to provide animproved aerial landing apparatus comprising a suitable containeradapted to carry merchandise, and numerous other commodities, as well aspersons, and to transport such articles or persons to predetermineddestinations with safety, and without subjecting the plane toanti-aircraft fire.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatuscomprising a cargo receiving container which is preferably cylindricalin cross-section, and has its end portions streamlined to minimizeresistance when in downward flight, and a suitable parachute normallybeing supported in collapsed condition on the upper end of the containerand so arranged that when the container is dropped from an airplane, theparachute is automatically released from the cargo container when thecargo descends to a predetermined altitude, after which the parachutewill carry the cargo to earth and safely land it without danger of thecargo container and its load becoming damaged, when brought into contactwith the ground.

A further and more specific object is to provide a cargo carryingcontainer having a hollow member secured to its upper end upon which ismounted a main parachute, ,and a pilot parachute being positioned overthe main parachute and having means for normally retaining it in suchposition, and means being provided for rendering said retaining meansineffective to secure the pilot parachute in folded position, wherebythe pilot parachute is automatically released and withdraws the mainparachute from its position upon the upper end of the cargo container,whereby the main parachute or canopy is exposed to the air currents andis opened and thereby retards the downward descent of the container andits cargo whereby it may be landed without 17 Claims. (Cl. 244-138)danger of the container or its cargo becoming damaged when the containercontacts the ground.

A further and more specific object is to provide an apparatus of thecharacter disclosed comprising a container provided at its upper endwith a hollow member adapted to contain a control mechanism for thecargo container, which mechanism controls the automatic release of theparachute from the cargo container, after the latter has been droppedfrom a plane and descends to a predetermined altitude, whereby theparachute opens and safely carries the container and its load to a safelanding.

A further and more specific object is to provide a novel controlmechanism for effecting the release of a parachute from a cargo carryingcontainer, after the latter has been dropped from a plane and descendsto a predetermined altitude, said control mechanism including a pressuresensitive device having an electric circuit comprising a pair ofnormally open contacts, which contacts are adapted to be closed when thecargo container reaches a predetermined altitude, thereby presenting acircuit to the control mechanism, whereby said mechanism may operate andautomatically eflect the release of the main parachute from itscollapsed position on the container, whereby the parachute will controlthe downward or falling movement of the, cargo container after thelatter has passed below the altitude at which pressure sensitive controlelement was set before the take-off.

Other objects of the invention reside in the specific construction ofthe means for controlling the automatic release of the parachute fromits packed position upon the cargo container; in the means provided forinstantly releasing the parachute from the cargo container, the momentthe container strikes the ground upon landing; in the provision of meansfor enclosing the aneroid and in the static tube connected thereto formaintaining an air pressure in the enclosing means for the aneroid whichis equal to the ambient pressure about the cargo container at allelevations; and in the unique and simplified construction of the cargocontainer, and parachute mounting means, and in the means forautomatically controlling the release of the parachute from the cargocontainer at a predetermined elevation, and also in the simplifiedconstruction of the means for automatically releasing the parachute fromthe load upon landing of the load and whereby danger of the parachutebecoming damaged is greatly minimized.

These and other objects of the invention and the meansfor theirattainment will be more apparent from the following description, takenin connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings there has been Figure 5 is a verticalsectional view of the containershowninFlgure 1, withsomeofthepartsomitted, and showing the pilot parachute enclosing the main parachute;

Figure3is aviewsimilartoFlgure2,butshow-- ing the pilot parachutepartially open;

Figure 4 is a view showing the pilot and main parachutes in openpositions to retard the falling speed of the loaded container and toassure a safe landing for the cargo;

Figure5isawiringdiagramshowingtheelectrical connections between thevarious control elements of the control circuit;

Figure 6 is an exterior view of an explosive d vice for releasing theparachute securing cord;

' Figure '7 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 1'I ofFigure 6;

Figure 8 is a view showing an aerial container of slightly modifiedconstruction with its lower portion broken away;

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view of the container shown in Figure8;

Figure 10 is an external view of the upper end of the container shown inFigure 9;

Figure 11 is an'elevational view of an aerial Figure 14 is a viewshowing a quick opening 50 parachute attached to a high speed container;

Figure 15 is an enlarged detail sectional view of a portion of the cargocontainer, showing the means for detachably securing the parachutethereto, and also showing the contacts of the aneroid in closedposition, and the housing for the aneroid;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary detail sectional view showing the bellows ofthe aneroid expanded to open the aneroid contacts;

Figure 17 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view of a lowerportion of the container showing the static tube in extended position;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary view showing the parachute release mechanismconditioned to release the parachute upon contact of the container withthe ground; and

Figure 19 is a wiring diagram of a modifl structure for releasing thepilot parachute.

It is well known to those skilled in the art that there are manyoccasions when it is desirable that some means he provided forautomatically opening a parachute at a predetermined altitude above theground.- The novel apparatus herein-disclosedastructuredesignedtdcarryoutthe means for automaticallyeflecting the opening of I the main parachute at a predetermineddistance above the ground so that the parachute may retard the fallingspeed of the cargo to a safe landing; and means-for automaticallyreleasing the parachute from the cargo, the moment the cargo contactsthe ground.

The novel apparatus herein disclosed is shown comprising a cargoreceiving container, general- 1y designatedby the numeral It. The bodyof the container is preferably cylindrical in crosssection, but it is tobe understood that it may be otherwise shaped, if desired. It is shownhaving a side door H, as shown in Figures 1 and 11, to facilitateloading and unloading, but in some instances it may be found morefeasible to load it from the top, and the container I0 is therefore soconstructed that it may also be loaded from the top, when desired.

The bottom end of the container is shown closed by a shock absorbingmember l3 secured to the walls of the container by suitable means,,not

shown. A hollow member ll provides a closure for the open top of thecontainer, and preferably has a portion i1 fitting into the top end ofthe container, as best shown in Figures 2, 3 and 9.

A main parachute l6, folded into a compact pack, is normally supportedupon the top wall of the hollow member ll, as shown in Figures 2 and 3,and is retained in position thereon by a pilot parachute l2 comprising aplurality of springlike elements l5 for quickly opening the pilotparachute, when it is released, as will subsequently be described. Thepilotparachute i2 is normally retained in closed position over the mainparachute ill by a cord i4, coiled about the lower marginal edge of thepilot parachute and the hollow member H. The member preferably has anannular flange at its uppermost end beneath which the cord i6 is wound,and wherebythe cord cannot accidentally become disengaged from themember H, as will be understood by reference to Figure 2.

It will thus be noted that the pilot parachute i2 normally provides acomplete closure for the main parachute l8, and also retains it in itsclosed inoperative position when the cargo con- I tainer I0 is intransit within the plane, or during the time in which the controlcircuit, later to be described, is in open, non-energized condition. Thepilot parachute also serves to initially withdraw the closed mainparachute from its inoperative position on top of the hollow member ll,whereby air enters the main parachute and quickly inflates or expands itto load-carrying condition, as shown in Figure 4.

The parachute release mechanism includes a 0 pressure sensitive devicesuch as an aneroid, generally designated by the numeral 25, which may beof any well known design. In the present instance, the aneroid is shownhaving two bellows but obviously the number of bellows may be varied asdesired. The aneroid has a knob 18 and the dial I80, for indicating thealtitude at which the aneroid may be set to close its contacts 54 andeffect the release of the parachutes l2 and ii at a selected altitude,as, for example, two thousand feet above sea level. The aneroid isinterposed in an electric circuit, indicated in heavy lines in Figure 5,and which will hereinafter be referred to as the primary circuit. Theprimary circuit is connected to a source of electric energy, such asdisclosed fully meets all of the requirements of a battery 26. A relay2'! is connected in series with the primary circuit, as shown in Figure5. and has a pair of contacts 21' interposed in a secondary circuit,indicated in light lines in Figure 5. The secondary circuit has amanually operable control switch II and a warning lisht 2| connectedtherein, and it will also be noted that the explosive element 23 isconnected in series therewith.

The explosive element 23 is contained within a small flanged housing 22suitably supported on the cylindrical wall of the hollow member IT, inalignment with the cord i4, whereby the cord may be supported between apair of spaced ears inFigure4,snd toitsdestinatlon.

ltistobeunderstoodthat'theapparanlmay beusedforlandingpersoufromaplaneinflightaswellascargo. Thecargoeontainerll is preferably shaped more orless likes streamlined projectile to minimize air ruistance during itsdownward flight.- In Figures 8 and 9, there is -shown abargo containerll comprising acontrol mechanism container Il whichissome;

what similar to the corresponding member-Ii shownlnthe previousiigures.Intheform 22' provided on the housing 22, as best illustrated inFiguresfi and 7. It will also be noted by reference to Figures 1 and 11,that the hous ing 22- is disposed in alignment with the cord ll, wherebywhen the cord is wound about the member I! to secure the pilot parachutein closed position over the main parachute, the cord will readily dropinto the space or gap between the ears 22'. When thus positioned, theexplosive element 23 is aligned with the cord I4 whereby when thesecondary circuit isenergized and the explosive element 23 is flred, thecord I4 is severed and thus releases the pilot parachute and permits itto open, as indicated in Figure 3. Wires 24 electrically connect theexplosive element 23.

- contacts 54 of the aneroid 25 are closed when the plane is grounded,because of the relatively higher atmospheric pressure, and remain sountil the plane reaches the altitude at which the an:- eroid is set, inthe present instance two thousand feet. Above the two thousand footaltitude, the bellows of the aneroid expand and automatically open theaneroid contacts whereby the primary circuit is de-energized. Thus theprimary circuit is always open when the plane ascends to an elevation oftwo thousand feet or higher. The aneroid may, if desired, be pre-set atany time during flight.

- Before dropping the cargo container ID from the plane, the pilotmanually closes the switch is to condition the secondary circuit foroperation. The secondary circuit, however, cannot be completed to theexplosive element 23 until the container ill, in its falling movement,drops to the two thousand foot altitude, whereupon the bellows of theaneroid 25 collapse sufficiently to close the aneroid contacts 54, asshown in Figure 15, and thus cause energization of the primary circuit.The moment the primary circuit is energized, the relay 2! is energizedand closes the contacts 21 of the secondary circuit, whereby saidcircuit is completed to the explosive element 23 and causes said elementto fire and sever the cord i l. Such severance of the cord M eifects therelease of the pilot parachute l2 and permits it to open and withdrawthe main parachute it from the hollow member I1, whereby the mainparachute immediately spreads its folds, as showninFigures8and9,themainparaehutel k secured in position on the hollowmember II by the pilot parachute I2, which in turn is secured to thehollow member 3| bythe cord ll. Straps II are shown having their upperends fastened to the cylindrical wall of thehollowmemberll stabilizingthe container in its downward andareadaptedtobereceivedinsuitablebuckles29 having plates 28, whereby they may be fix.-edlysecuredtothewalloftheeontainer ll, shown in Figure 8. The straps afacilitate the operation of securing the member II to the 6011-. tainerII or detaching it therefrom. Y

The construction and operation of the apparatus shown and described withreference to Figures 8; 9 and 10, is'very similar to the constructionand operation of the apparatus shown in Figure 7, in that its aneroidmay be previously prepared and made ready to be attached to a cargocontainer before a. takeoif. The hollow member ii for housing thecontrol mechanism may, as in the previous figures, be considered a coveror lid for the cargo container II. In some instances it may be deemedadvisable to provide a projectile or bomb-shaped cargo container I lwith means such as a drag parachute or fins for or free fall.

Means is provided for stabilizing the operation of the aneroid 25, andis shown comprising a housing 25' for enclosing at least the bellows'ofthe aneroid, as shown in Figures 15 and 16. A static tube Ii is shownmounted on the wall of the cargo container lo, and has its upper end incommunication with the interior of the 110118? ing- 25'. A tube section33 is telescopically sup ported in the lower end of the tube 32, and isadapted to have its lower end portion projected fromthe tube 32 againstthe tensionof a suitable spring 31, shown in Figure 17. When thusprojected from the static tube 32, the air intake holes 38 provided inthe lowermost end of the tube section 33 will be disposed well ahead ofthe shock wave or aerodynamic disturbances created around the body ofthe container ll during the falling of the container prior to itsreaching the two thousand foot elevation at which the aneroid is set.The static tube "serves to maintain an air pressure in the bellowshousing 28' which will be substantially equal to the ambient pzessure ofthe air around the falling container When the cargo container issupported in the bomb rack or bomb bay, prior to being released from theplane, the telescopic tube section 33 is retained in its retractedposition by a pin 23',

received in aligned apertures provided in interfitting ears or lugs 35and 36 provided, respec tively, on the static tube 32 and on the lowerend of the telescopic tube section 33, as will be understood byreference to Figures 1, ll, 12 and 17. A

cord it has one and secured to the pin 33' and its opposite end to astructural part of the plane or bomb rack, whereby when the cargocontainer 8 safelyconveysthelo'sdbr arsollkrele'aseddromtheplanethecordllwill withdraw'the pin 38' from the earsII and" and automatically release the tube section 33.

when thus released, the telescopic tube SI is V instantly moved to itsextended position by the spring 31, as shown in Figures 12 and 17.

lnsomeinstancesitmaybeiolmddesirableto so design the static tube and itsmountings that tlons are unnecessary.

In l'lgures I3 and 14 there is shown a structure I the main parachute I6is normally contained within a tubular member or sleeve 3!, to the upperend of which the pilot parachute i2 is attached, as shown in Figure 13.When the pilot parachute i2 is released during descent of the cargocontainer II, the pilot parachute I: withdraws the member 39 from themain parachute or canopy it, whereupon the latter opens and decreasesthe ialling speed of the container ll so that the cargo may be safelylanded at its selected destination.

The parachute arrangement above described and shown in Figures 1 3 and14, is particularly useful when utilizing ribbon type parachutes. It iswell known that ribbon type parachutes are designed to open at speedsfar in excess of the opening speeds of standard parachutes. Inasmuch asthe downward velocity of a falling streamlined aerial delivery containermay approach the speed 7 of sound (depending on load), ribbon type orother high speed parachutes are often employed in connection with suchcargo containers. The sleeve 3!, shown in Figure 13, facilitates theoperation of packing the main ribbon canopy or parachute It, and alsopermits saidcanopy to quickly open without danger of damage to itsribbon lattice construction, when the main parachute is released toopen. Ribbon type parachutes may be highly desirable, when handlingfragile cargoes, because they materially reduce the shock to which thecargo is subjected, when the parachute suddenly opens.

InFlgures 1and3thestatictube32isshown mounted on the wall of the cargocontainer ll, exteriorly thereof, while in Figure 11 it is shown molmtedwithin the container with its lower end projecting through an opening inthe bottom member It oi the container, as best shown in Figure 17.

To minimize the danger of damaging the parachute, upon landing oi thecargo, means is provided for automatically releasing the parachute fromthe container II, the instant the container strikes the ground or somefixed object upon completion of its descent. To thus release theparachute i'rom the cargo container it, there is illustrated in Figures18 and 19, a parachute release mechanism, generally designated by thenumeral 46, comprising a plate 42 having its intermediate portionpivotally moimted upon a fixed pivot or pin IS. A suitable hook ll ismounted for limited pivotal movement upon a pivot pin. ll secured in oneend of the plate 42 and normally retained in engagement with a fixed lug53 by a spring ll. One end of the spring 44 is shown attached to thehook ll and its opposite end to the plate 2, as indicated at ll inFigure 18.

m is'provided ioa' yieldably retaining the plate 42 in its normalhook-locking positio shown in l'lgure15, whereby the parachute cannotbecome disengaged from the cargo container ll, during the descent of thecontainer, said means being so constructed, however, that when thecontainer initially strikes the ground upon landing, the slight jarimparted to the container will actuate said means and cause it tomomentarily move the hook out of engagement with the parachute Ii, andthus automatically release the parachute from the load.

The means provided for thus eiiecting the release of the parachute uponlanding of the cargo, is shown including a device, generally designatedby the numeral ll. This device comprises an inner cylindrical member I!having a head It piv-' otally mounted on a fixed pivot pin 49. An outersleeve il is slidably fitted over the cylindrical member]! and has ahead it having a centrally disposed recess therein adapted to receive aspherical element or ball 52, secured to the adjacent end of the plate42. A spring 5| is interposed between the heads of the member I! andsleeve SI and constantly tends to elongate the device 47, thereby toretain the plate 12 in the position shown in Figure 15, with its 1113 53e ed with the hook 4i. When the plate 42 is thus positioned, the hookcannot release the parachute.

When the main parachute l6 opens at the selected two thousand footaltitude, after the cargo container has been released from the planeflying at a relatively higher elevation, the container ill is suspendedfrom the hook II, and during the descent of the container, the plate 42remains in the position shown in Figure 15, with its lug 53 engaging thehook ll. When the cargo. or container subsequently contacts the ground,as in landing, the plate 42 is momentarily shifted to the position shownin Figure 18, whereby the lug S3 is moved out of engagement with thehook ll and thus permits the spring It to move the hook out ofengagement with the ring 40 secured to the shroud lines ii of theparachute. When the hook ll thus becomes disengaged from the ring II,the parachute i6 is completely released from thecargo and usuallyquickly collapses adjacent thereto.

In Figure 19 there is illustrated a wiring diagram of a control circuitof slightly modified construction. It includes the aneroid 25, havingcontacts 54 as in the previous figures; a pair of contacts 55 which arenormally retained in open or spaced relation by a pull-out pin 56, anexplosive element 51, similar to the element 23 of Figure 5, and asom'ce of electric current such as a battery 53. The contacts of theaneroid 25 are normally closed, as shown in Figure 19, when the plane isgrounded, and remain so until the plane ascends to the altitude at whichthe aneroid may be set as, for example, two thousand feet.

After the takeoii, and the plane ascends to an altitude of two thousandfeet, the contacts of the aneroid are automatically opened by the actionof the aneroid and remain open so long as the plane remains above thetwo thousand foot altitude. When the plane reaches a position. over thedestination at which the cargo is to be delivered, the cargo is droppedfrom the plane whereupon the pull-out pin 56 is withdrawn by a cord 60having one end attached to the pin and its opposite end to a fixed. partof the plane. Such withdrawal of the pin it permits the contacts 55 toelse, whereby the control circuit contained with- I is conditioned foroperation, when the cargo reaches the two thousand foot elevation in itsfalling movement.

The moment the cargo container passes below the two thousand footaltitude at which the aneroid is set, the aneroid automaticallycompletes the circuit to the explosive element 51, whereby it is firedand 'severs the cord H, thereby releasing the parachutes from the cargocontainer so that the main parachute l6 may unfold and retard thedescent oi the'cargo and assure its safe landing.

When the cargo container 10 contacts the ground, the parachute I6 isautomatically released from the container by the mechanism shown inFigures and 18. It will also be noted ,that the modified control circuitdisclosed in Figure/l9 operates in a manner very similar to the controlcircuit shown in Figure 5 in that whenthe plane is transporting thecargo container ill at an elevation above the setting of the aneroid, ortwo thousand feet, the circuit to the explosive element 51 cannot becompleted because of the aneroid contacts'being in circuit openingposition. The moment the cargo container de-, scends to anelevation oftwo thousand feet, after having been dropped from the plane, thecontacts of the aneroid close and thus complete the circuit to theexplosive element 51, whereby it is fired and severs the cord l4 andthus effects the automatic release of the parachute.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that we haveaccomplished at least the principal objects of our invention, and itwill also be ap parent to those skilled in the art that the embodimentsherein described'may be variously changed automatically effecting therelease of the parachute irom the cargo container upon landing.

3. An aerial carbgo delivery apparatus comprising a cargo containerhaving a shock absorbing means at its lower end for minimizing shockupon landing, means for providing a compart- 'ment at the upper end ofthe container, means main parachute may unfurl its canopy and therebyretard the falling movement of the container. and means forautomatically releasing the parachutes from the container when thecontainercontacts the ground upon landing.

4. An aerial cargo delivery device comprising a cargo container having acompartment at one end, an electric control circuit in .said compartmenthaving a connection with a source of electric power and including a pairof contacts, a pressure responsive device for normally retaining saidcontacts in circuit closing position, means providing a closed chamberfor the pressure responsive device, and means for maintaining the airpressure within said chamber substantially and modified withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention iscapable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described;hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiments areillustrative only, and that our invention is not limited thereto.

What is claimed:

1. An aerial delivery apparatus comprising a bomb shaped cargosupporting means having a series of compartments therein, means forstabilizing the cargo supporting means during its free falling movement,a pilot parachute attached to the supporting means, a main parachutepacked in the pilot parachute and attached to the supporting means, arelease cord for attaching the pilot parachute to the supporting means,means for severing the release cord and permitting the parachutes toopen when the cargo Y supporting means reaches a predetermined elevationduring its free falling movement, and a spring-operated latch forreleasing the parachute from the supporting means when said supportingmeans contacts the ground upon landing.

2. An aerial cargo delivery apparatus comprising a cargo containerhaving a-top wall, a main parachute folded into a compact bundle andsupported on said wall, a pilot parachute attached to the main parachuteand overlying the main parachute to provide a closure therefor, meansfor securing the pilot parachute in position over the main parachute,means in the upper portion of the container for automatically releasingthe parachutes from the container, said means including a pressureresponsive element adapted to be actuated by variations in atmosphericpressure to causesaid parachute release means to operate and release theparachutes at a predement of the parachute, and a mechanism for equal tothe ambient air pressure around the cargo container during the freefalling period of th container.

5. An aerial cargo'delivery device comprising a cargo container having ahollow member at its upper end forming a compartment provided with a topwall, a main parachute supported on said wall, a pilot parachuteattached to the main parachute and supported thereon and having itscanopy overhanging the marginal edge of said top wall, a cord. securingthe pilot parachute to said wall whereby the pilot parachute concealsthe main parachute, a control means within said compartment including apressure responsive device for automatically releasing the pilotparachute from' said cord, when the cargo container reaches apredetermined altitude during its free falling movement, and whereby themain parachute will open to support the load, and means also in saidcompartment made operable to automatically release the parachute fromthe cargo container when the container contacts the ground upon landing.

6. An aerial delivery apparatus comprising a cargo container havingmeans for releasably securing a parachute thereto in folded conditionand adapted to automatically release the parachute from its securingmeans to permit it to open and retard the falling velocity of thecontainer at a predetermined altitude during the free-falling period ofthe container, and a mechanism for automatically releasing the parachutefrom the container when the container contacts the ground upon landing,said means including a spring biased hook having an operative connectionwith the shroud lines of the parachute the parachute from the container.

7. An aerial delivery apparatus comprising a cargo container havingmeans for supporting a main parachute on the upper portion thereof andl1 having a pilot parachute overlying and concealing the main parachuteand provided with means for securing it in such position. said securinmeans being operable to release the parachute when the container reachesa predetermined ele-- lease of the parachute from the hook within thecontainer.

8. An aerial delivery apparatus comprisinga pilot parachute, a mainparachute normally conhousing, and the other end oi said tube having asection slidably secured thereto.

9. An aerial delivery apparatus comprising a cargo container, means forsecuring a pilot parachute to the cargo container, said pilot parachutenormally being retained in closed position, a main parachute normallyconcealed by the pilot parachute and operatively connected to the cargo.a pressure responsive aneroid for closing an electric circuit, and anexplodable element in said circuit for effecting the automatic releaseof the pilot parachute at a predetermined elevation, whereby the mainparachute is rendered effective to retard the descent of the cargo, ahousing for the anerold, and a static tube having one end incommunication with the interior of the housin and its other end incommunication with the atmosphere.

10. An aerial delivery apparatus comprising a. cargo container, aparachute secured to the cargo container, 9. pressure responsive meansfor causing the parachute to open at a predetermined elevation, and astatic tube connected to the pres sure responsive means and extending atleast the length of the container.

11. An aerial delivery apparatus, including a pilot parachute, a sleevemember secured to the pilot parachute, a main parachute normally packedin said sleeve member, but being free of any connection to the sleeve, apressure responsive device for releasing the pilot parachute at apredetermined elevation above the ground, and a static tube having oneend connected to said pressure responsive device and having its oppositeend partially closed.

12. An aerial apparatus comprising a cargo container having acompartment therein, a, parachute attached to the container, a pressureresponsive device in said compartment for causing the parachute to openat a predetermined elevation, a static tube having a section carried bysaid container and communicating with the interior of said compartment,and said static tube having a section telescopically connected thereto.

13. An aerial delivery apparatus, including a container, a. parachutesecured to the container, a pressure responsive device associated withthe container for releasing the parachute at a pre- 12 determineddistance above the ground. and a static tube associated with thepressure responsivechute attached to a wallet the upper compartment,apressure sensitive release device in the upper compartment, and a tubecommunicating with the interior of the upper compartment and extendingsubstantially the length of the container.

15. An aerial cargo delivery apparatus comprising a cargo containerhaving a compartment therein, a parachute attached to said container, aparachute release mechanism in said compartment for automaticallyreleasing the parachute from the container, when the parachute contactsthe ground, a pressure sensitive device also contained in saidcompartment and including an evacuated bellows, a pair of electriccontacts associated with said bellows, an electric circuit connected tosaid contacts, and a dial control rod for opening the electric circuitupon expansion of said bellows.

16. An aerial delivery apparatus comprising a bomb-shaped container, aparachute releasably attached to said container, 9. pressure sensitivedevice for effecting the release of the. parachute at a predetermineddistance above ground, an electric control circuit for said device,including an explosive element adaptedupon energization of the circuitto sever the connection between the parachute and the conta,iner,,-and astatic tube having one end in communication with the pressure sensitivedevice and its opposite end open to the atmosphere to permit freepassage of air ISO therethrough at all times.

1'7. An aerial delivery apparatus comprising a container, -a pilotparachute, a main parachute operativeiy associated with the pilotparachute and releasably attached to the container, a pressureresponsive device in the container for eflecting the release of thepilot parachute at a predetermined distance above ground, and a tubeextending along the side 01' the container and having one end incommunication with the pressure responsive device, and its opposite endopen to the atmosphere to permit free passage of air therethrough.

O'I'I'O C. WINZEN. VERA H. WINZEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,709,264 Holt Apr. 16, 19291,755,414 Smith Apr. 22, 1930 1,793,729 Askam Feb. 24, 1931 2,118,603Hailey May 24, 1938 2,365,445 Badowski Dec. 19, 1944 2,382,442 Rich Aug.14, 1945 2,400,165 Porter May 14, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number CountryDate 129,017 Great Britain July 10, 1919 278,695 Great Britain Apr. 5,1928 585,265 Great Britain Feb. 3, 1947 726,543 France Mar. 7, 1932

